Penn's Minorities in Nursing Organization has a lot on its plate this year -- coaching students through an assessment process, providing information for future nursing careers and organizing an AIDS Walk team.
Founded in 2001 with support from the Student Activities Council, MNO serves to unite minority students within Penn's School of Nursing and create a comfortable environment for students to voice their opinions about the nursing field.
MNO held its first meeting of the year on Monday, with a turnout of about 30 graduate and undergraduate students.
MNO President and Nursing senior Natalie Bent began the discussion, informing students that beginning on Oct. 15, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education will be visiting Penn's Nursing School for three days to assess its curriculum.
The commission, Bent said, validates the work members of the Nursing School are doing "in order to ensure Penn's curriculum is on the same standards as other nursing schools."
This accreditation process takes place every eight to 10 years, so many current Nursing students are unfamiliar with it. Bent, however, urged students to "be honest, but be nice to CCNE. Address your concerns about the Nursing School."
At the same time that the accreditation process will be taking place, a representative from Johnson & Johnson will be hosting a career information event called "Discover Nursing."
The presentation will serve as a method of both recruiting current Nursing students and informing them about how to survive the recruitment process.
Associate Director of Career Services Genny Dunne encouraged students to attend this event, noting that "the current job market [for nurses] is absolutely delightful.
"The Bachelors of Science and Nursing are much sought out after -- you make close to $50,000 your first year, and your job search will only be two days."
According to Dunne, "A BSN at the University of Pennsylvania is a very high degree."
MNO Vice President Elizabeth Hernandez, a Nursing senior, agreed. "The caliber of facilities at Penn is absolutely amazing, and interacting with staff at HUP is a privilege."
Hernandez interned this past summer in a neonatal and critical care center at a hospital in Texas. She said she "already had two offers in the nursing field," and was told "exactly what I would make when I graduated."
In addition to organizing events for nursing recruitment, on Oct. 19, MNO is sponsoring a team in AIDS Walk Philly -- an event open to all Penn students and community members -- to raise money for AIDS research.
Amy Felix, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee representative for MNO, is in charge of the MNO team.
"Our goal for the walk is $500," Felix said. "This is the first time MNO is forming its own team, and we'll even have team shirts with an MNO logo."
Bent added that the MNO AIDS Walk team will be supported by the Caribbean-American Students Organization.
